“A shot rang out like a cannon. People running, screaming, lamenting for what they had seen.
This is how a witness describes the last moments of a man, shot in front of a building in Astoria, while he was walking with a bag of food in his hands.
“Here always if there is no fight there is discussion. Well, she heard someone telling her to call the ambulance,” said Gilberto Cruz.
The 36-year-old victim got into an argument with another individual according to police and was shot in the stomach.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Monday. Cruz’s wife had come home from work.
It was time to take the dog out but he says that the police did not let them down.
“One says it could have been me. Because today these guys don’t shoot or kill whoever they are,” added Cruz.
The incident took place inside the Astoria Houses public housing complex, at 2-06 Astoria Boulevard, in Queens.
After committing the crime, the suspect fled the scene, and is described by police only as having a dark complexion.
They say he was wearing a black coat, a green hoodie, black pants and white tennis shoes.
“Then people come at that time from work and the children from school. You never know what can happen to you day by day,” Cruz said.
The fatally wounded man was taken to Elmhurst Hospital and pronounced dead there. Police say he had a lengthy criminal record, including assault charges and drug possession.
No arrests are reported at this time in this case for which police are asking for the public’s help by calling confidentially 1-888-57-PISTA.
